Message from the President

The Year Ahead: Reflections and Actions for 2025

My dear colleagues, 

Each new year provides an opportunity to reflect on the passage of time, the importance of history, and how best to chart the path forward. This is true for our organization, the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation (WIMLF). As we look ahead, we recognize both the progress we have made and prepare to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Our dedication to preserving history, championing equity, and shaping the future remains unwavering.

Let me begin first by reviewing some highlights of the past year. 

In 2024, we: 

  • Established the Advisory Leadership Council (ALC).  The ALC provides strategic counsel and support to the WIMLF Board and Staff, leveraging members' expertise to advance the organization’s objectives and represent WIMLF within the community.

  • Honored Dr. Myrna Weissman for her pioneering work in mental health research with the 2024 Alma Dea Morani, MD Renaissance Woman Award. The 2025 honoree will be announced this spring.

  • Completed the oral history of Dr. Vivian Pinn, ensuring her invaluable contributions are preserved at the Harvard Countway Library. 

Facing 2025’s Challenges

The intersection of politics and medicine is undeniable, shaping the professional and personal lives of women in science and healthcare. Over the past 3 years, noted changes in the landscape of care and science have included the SCOTUS decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – reversing a half-century of access to reproductive choices for women;  the ruling on Affirmative Action and enrollment for historically excluded groups in medical and science programs; the installation of a new president with day 1 marking the reversal of federal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and numerous executive orders that address the immigration crisis and the viability and functioning of agencies within Health & Human Services such as the NIH and CDC among other directives.  

The obvious question is, how do all the changes, both locally, nationally, and globally, affect our organization and its enduring commitment to women? Before answering this question, it bears repeating what we stand for in our own words:

We know the value of experience and see the impact pioneers have made in the fields of medicine and the medical sciences, especially when it comes to the unique legacy left by women.

Our work perpetuates the legacy [of pioneers in the fields of medicine and medical sciences] of these women created through their tireless determination, extraordinary passion, and unmatched fortitude. We will not allow their stories to rust: we use them to build a path to a future still being envisioned but solidly supported by those who came before. There can be no purposeful future without the perspective of history. We maintain the path behind in order to inspire those forging ahead. 

Notwithstanding the challenges ahead, history shows us that progress can be made through resilience, advocacy, and collective action to uphold what we know to be just. By preserving the stories of trailblazing women in medicine, we reinforce the power of representation and ensure that the next generation can stand inspired by the progress we, as women, have made for ourselves, our families, and our communities. We are strengthened by our science, our enduring support and passion for education, and our unfailing commitment to humanitarian causes. 

As we move forward, our Board of Directors, Advisory Leadership Council, and newly launched Women’s Legacy Collective will continue to uphold our mission. The challenges we face today are not new; women in medicine and science have long fought against barriers. We remain steadfast in our commitment to amplifying their voices, challenging inequality and inequities, and ensuring their contributions are never erased.

Looking Ahead: 2025 Initiatives

  • Balancing the Scales: Supporting Women in Medicine Through Childcare Equity – This April, we will host a virtual event in partnership with the GEMS Alliance, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Melissa Merrick. This discussion will explore the intersection of childcare access, gender equity, and the structural changes needed to support women in medicine, science, and public health. More details to come.

  • New Oral History Release – This spring, we will release the oral history of Dr. JoAnn Manson, whose groundbreaking research in women and cardiovascular care has shaped public health and preventive medicine.

  • Brabb Scholarship Selection – This summer, we will award the Maria Cerny Brabb Scholarship, supporting a student for four years at Drexel University in pursuit of a career in medicine.

  • Women’s Legacy Collective – Our new membership program launching this spring will foster a dynamic community committed to preserving and celebrating the history of women in medicine.  

  • Expanding The HUB – This year, we will continue to grow The HUB, our digital repository highlighting the contributions of women in medicine, adding new profiles, and expanding resources.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can honor the past and shape our future.

Warmly,

Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP, FCOPP
President, Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation